Self-cleaning walls ease the cleaner’s lot

A new hotel in Copenhagen is easing the cleaner's burden - because the guest rooms disinfect themselves.

Hotel Ottilia has treated the interior walls of its guest rooms with an antibacterial spray said to be effective against germs and mould spores.

"We've been testing this system for two years and what really sold us on it was that it would make life so much easier for our staff," says Karim Nielsen, chief executive officer of Ottilia's parent company Brockner Hotels.

Likened to Teflon, CleanCoat is a transparent, odourless, invisible coating which is activated by sunlight. It is said to break down a range of microbes that are commonly found in hotel rooms such as influenza, salmonella, mould spores and allergens. And it can also remove contaminants such as cigarette smoke and other odours, according to Danish developers ACT.Global.

"The technology is expensive but we've reduced the labour load by 50 per cent," said Nielsen. "And it's giving our staff a much easier day while also reducing our water consumption."

The main ingredient of the spray is titanium dioxide, which is often a component of sunscreen. Once it has been applied, housekeeping staff simply need to wipe down surfaces and vacuum the floors while CleanCoat does the rest.

"This means housekeepers don't have to apply chemical detergents or breathe in fumes, and guests also benefit since their rooms are cleaned more quickly and without using chemicals that can cause allergic reactions," said Nielsen.

However, a room has to be completely cleared of furniture before it can be sprayed with CleanCoat - and the formula needs to be reapplied every year.